Education equals opportunity! Unfortunately in New Zealand thousands of children live their lives in extreme poverty, going without the basics most of us take for granted and this has a major impact on their ability to learn so they can reach their full potential. These are New Zealand’s forgotten children who exist in a world where they cannot be sure of having three meals a day, suitable clothing and heating in their home in winter. It means getting sicker more often, shortened life expectancy, poor nutritional status and not achieving age-appropriate developmental milestones. It means missing out on school excursions and not being able to participate fully in classroom activities; which leads to social isolation, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness and alienation.

Without direct intervention, children living in poverty very rarely catch up as their ability to access opportunities that are available to more fortunate children is reduced and so… the cycle of poverty starts all over again. KidsCan Charitable Trust is a national charity dedicated to ensuring all Kiwi kids affected by poverty can look forward to a brighter future. We deliver targeted programmes which remove the physical barriers preventing children in low decile schools from getting the most out of their education. These tangible initiatives currently support the education of more than 41,000 children in 207 low decile schools across New Zealand. With your support we can do even more.

200,000 New Zealand children live in poverty. Less than 50 cents a day can provide them with the basics they’re missing out on. Please help them today by joining the ‘In Our Own Backyard Club’ at www.kidscan.org.nz

See how you can make a difference today by visiting www.kidscan.org.nz »

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